I had an article in the National newspaper in Scotland yesterday, published late yesterday. The opening in paragraphs said:
KEIR Starmer is beginning to worry me. Take his performance today. He has done two things, each of which is wrong in itself.
First, he has apparently told his MPs to not talk about Brexit. And then he refused to condemn Matt Hancock MP, the UK Health Secretary, for having been found to have broken the law last week when given the opportunity to do so by Sophy Ridge on Sky.
The rest is here. Since this was a paid article I cannot reproduce it in full.
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Great article Richard.
I think Keir Starmer has run out of road and is currently not holding this far-right Tory govt to account – he is “fake opposition”. The local election results in England and the Scottish election results are likely to be very poor for Labour and I think Starmer will face a leadership challenge within 18 months at most. My preference for leader at present would be either Jon Trickett or Clive Lewis – either would be more convincing than Starmer.
I was laughed at when I said Clive Lewis might one day be leader – about 18 months ago
He is no showing himself top be one of the few with the courage to think broadly
I have said (and shared) on this blog previously – Clive Lewis’ leadership manifesto is exactly where the opposition needs to be. He is also an engaging and likeable guy, who has it spot on in terms of tackling the English nationalism problem. Given his military service he is also an authentic voice in this area.
What I hate about this is that it suggests that Starmer can’t even say whether Labour would have done a better job to manage Covid.
Keir Starmer is reminding me of a former tax inspector who set up as a tax investigations specialist; purportedly to help accountants, tax advisers and their clients to negotiate with HMRC in order to get a good outcome. Many found that this specialist was far too aligned with HMRC to be of any value to the client.
Many of us reading this blog were of the opinion that Labour should have voted against or abstained on the Brexit ‘deal’ vote. Starmer could have said that whilst he supported a deal in principle there had been too little scrutiny to be able to vote in favour at that point. Or, he could have said “this is a piece of sh#t” either way many would have supported his move.
I had defended Starmer, but I’ve run out of patience with him. He might bring things up at PMQs, but that seems to be the only time he is willing to publicly disagree with anything to government is doing. In media interviews, he acts like Boris is his boss.
Keir Starmer is most certainly becoming a problem. His speech was a mess (my blog: https://martinagombar.blogspot.com/2021/02/starmers-speech.html), and the radio silence on Brexit is beyond stupid. Those who think his days are numbered may be right. I joined the Labour party to vote for him. He’s been such a disappointment though. No vision. No passion. And no bridge building between the left and right wings of the party. Sadly, I just don’t think he has it in him. Clive Lewis would be better, I agree.
Further to the above comments, here’s my take on Starmer.
(For starters, aside from my main argument, the latest imbroglio over the Labour Liverpool Mayoral candidates beggars belief, but is well in keeping with his earlier decision to hire an Israeli (allegedly ex-spy) to manage the social media communications of the membership – a move justifiably
described, IMO, as a STASI-like development. In both these matters Starmer is actually taking the p**** out of us members here, arrogantly assuming he’s so much ‘in control’, that he can do whatever he wants.)
Well, I’ve said before, and repeat – Starmer is Labour’s King James ll & Vll. Like James, he came in on the back of his predecessor’s popularity, & in no time squandered it by his obsessive, one-track thinking.
With James it was the (admirable) goal of religious freedom for all, including Catholics. With Starmer it’s the (less than admirable) defence of Israel & Zionism. Both successors lacked, and have lacked, their predecessors’ empathy & emotional intelligence. Alienation ensued under James ll. And ensues now under Starmer? Yes.
Never forget, Charles, James ll’s far more savvy, emotionally intelligent brother, restored the monarchy, & lasted 25 years on the throne, to his death. James, by contrast, alienated all the goodwill he inherited, & was booted out and replaced on 3 years!
Starmer’s future IMO! In fact, I’d be surprised if he lasts much longer than the local elections. Even if Labour performs creditably in those elections (which will, of course, be puffed up by his probably dwindling supporters), it won’t save him.
Only a landslide will, and as Labour is trailing the Tories by 2 or 3% (remember “Anyone but Corbyn would be 20 points ahead”?), I don’t see that happening.
Instead, I think he’s heading for Trumpian exile. Hope so, anyway. He’s appalling, having betrayed just about every Labour value going.